What price justice?

Small disputes involving ordinary people are not a waste of the courts’ time

NICHOLAS AND ROSEMARY Sherman booked a cruise to the Northwest Passage in 2018; but because of adverse ice conditions had to settle for floating off the coast of Greenland for two weeks. They took the cruise operator to court. After losing in the County Court (with £60,000 in costs to boot), they prevailed in the High Court and, in April, in the Court of Appeal. What distinguished the Shermans from most successful litigants there is that they were self-represented, while the cruise company had instructed leading and junior counsel. Some might well think it heartening that ordinary people can still obtain justice in this manner (Mr Sherman does have a law degree, which he has not used professionally). The judges took a dimmer view. All three urged the two parties…

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The Critic (Digital) - 1 Issue, June 2024

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